The Best Waffle Mixes, from Belgian to Buttermilk

Best Overall

Krusteaz Belgian Waffle Mix

$16 at Amazon $3 at Walmart

A staple in food service establishments, the Krusteaz Light & Crispy Belgian Waffle Mix is praised for yielding smooth waffles that aren’t too sweet. Lucky for at-home chefs, you can score the mix in smaller family-size boxes. 

It’s easy to prepare these waffles—simply mix in water, an egg, and a little bit of oil. There’s room for customization, too. If you prefer richer waffles, the directions recommend adding extra oil or eggs.

Of course, you can also add in chocolate chips, nuts, or fresh fruit for even more breakfast-time fun. Either way, you’ll end up with a meal that rivals one your favorite restaurant serves—warm, fully centered, and crisp, crunchy edges. 

Flavor: Classic Belgian | Package Volume: 28 ounces | Servings Per Container: 14

Best Budget

365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix

$7 at Amazon

Organic isn’t always the more expensive option, and the Whole Foods 365 brand pancake and waffle mix proves that. The high-quality waffle mix is certified organic and kosher but comes at a price tag that closely mirrors other non-organic options. 

Like other great waffle mixes, the process is simple. Just add water or milk, melted butter, one egg, and a touch of honey to make either waffles or pancakes. The result is a breakfast treat with a classic buttermilk flavor and fluffy texture.

We love the large 32-ounce container since it yields 23 solid servings. It’s the perfect size for bigger families or a holiday brunch, but note that the package isn’t resealable. To keep the mix as fresh as possible, use it all in one serving or stash it in a sealed reusable container before putting it back in the pantry.

Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 32 ounces | Servings Per Container: 23

Best Buttermilk

Stonewall Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix

$14 at Amazon View on Stonewallkitchen.com View on Vitacost

This waffle mix requires a little more effort on the part of the chef—you need eggs, milk or buttermilk, and melted butter—but there’s a reason Stonewall Kitchen is so beloved when it comes to brunch staples like waffles. The waffles this mix yields are super rich with a depth of flavor you don’t usually get unless you’re cooking from scratch. (Note: Because of this, we’ve heard rumblings that these waffles aren’t sweet enough for some kids!) 

This 16-ounce package can make more than a dozen waffles—more than the average household needs. We love that the tin is easy to seal and save the rest for later, too.

It is, however, on the pricier side. Not to mention, you won’t find it in all stores. But, on the upside, Stonewall Kitchen makes fabulous gift baskets that contain the mix—a great present for a housewarming or holiday.

Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 33 ounces | Servings Per Container: 18

Best for Everyday Breakfasts

Hungry Jack Buttermilk Complete Pancake and Waffle Mix

$20 at Amazon $3 at Walmart

You’ve probably seen this waffle mix on grocery store shelves—it’s been a staple for years and years. One bite and you’ll be transported right back to your childhood. The waffles are nice and crispy and full of buttery flavor, albeit slightly dry. 

Still, they’re easy to whip up—even on a school day. All you have to do is add water, eggs, and oil. If you’re making pancakes, the process is even easier—just add water. Like other family-friendly products, this mix comes in a hefty yet inexpensive 32-ounce package that yields a whopping 21 servings. 

Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 32 ounces | Servings Per Container: 21

Best Organic

Bob's Red Mill Organic 7-Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix

$6 at Amazon $15 at Walmart View on Bobsredmill.com

If you’re looking for something with a little more nutritional substance than your average bread-heavy breakfast, take a look at the organic seven-grain waffle mix from Bob’s Red Mill. This waffle mix is made from several whole grain flours, including wheat, rye, spelt, corn, oat, Kamut, quinoa, and brown rice to give diners a punch of protein and fiber that’s more sustaining than traditional waffles. As a nice bonus, the mix is also USDA-certified organic and kosher.

Despite the health benefits, these waffles are easy to make. The package displays two recipes, both of which require you to stir the mix together with water, oil, and one egg. You can tweak them to be allergy-friendly by swapping the egg for applesauce—just note that it may change the texture of the end result slightly. 

Flavor: 7-grain | Package Volume: 24 ounces | Servings Per Container: 17

Best Whole-Grain

Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix

$18 at Amazon $7 at Walmart $6 at Thrive Market

Another great option for those looking for a more substantial breakfast option, Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack & Waffle Mix is a whole-grain product that’s both non-GMO and kosher. It’s versatile, too. Use the mix—which first debuted on the TV show "Shark Tank"—to make waffles, pancakes, flapjacks, and other baked goods. 

No matter how you use it, the product is made from 100 percent whole grains and delivers an impressive 14 grams of protein per serving to help you stay full longer. And, if you want to up the protein content even more, you can always prep the mix with milk and eggs instead of the simpler "just add water" method—the box outlines both options clearly.

If there’s any downside, it’s that this nutritional complexity does affect the taste and texture slightly—so the resulting waffles can be grittier and denser than more traditional versions you may be used to. 

Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 20 ounces | Servings Per Container: 10

Best Gluten-Free

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

$8 at Amazon $12 at Walmart View on Webstaurantstore.com

It wasn’t long ago that gluten-free diners had to pass on breakfast staples like pancakes and waffles, but today there are plenty of options—some of which are truly worthy substitutes. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake mix is one of them.

The mix, which can technically be used for pancakes or waffles, is made with a blend of rice flour, brown rice flour, potato starch, whole-grain sorghum flour, and tapioca flour to keep things gluten-free. But when you mix it with some butter, an egg, and milk, then ladle the batter into your waffle iron, you’ll get waffles that are fluffy on the outside and crispy on the edges. 

Overall, this mix is on the more expensive side, but it does contain more than 1 pound of mix that yields an impressive 17 servings—plenty for multiple mornings, even for a family of four. The packaging is resealable, too, so it’s easy to keep the product fresh in the pantry. 

Flavor: 7-grain | Package Volume: 24 ounces | Servings Per Container: 17

Best Vegan

Partake Classic Pancake and Waffle Mix

$26 at Amazon View on Safeway.com

Anyone with allergies knows that it can be difficult to find delicious foods that are safe to eat—particularly because so many products are made in facilities that produce foods that include known allergens like nuts. But this pancake and waffle mix is here to save the day—well, breakfast time, at least.

It’s free from the top nine allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame), as well as other common allergens like lupin, crustaceans, sulfites, mustard, and casein. The product is also certified vegan, plant-based, non-GMO, and gluten-free, making it a worthy choice for nearly anyone with special dietary requirements. 

Still, it’s easy to whip up a yummy batch of pancakes or waffles by adding water and oil to the dry mix and spooning it onto your griddle or into your waffle iron. The brand also makes a fun kid-friendly flavor: Confetti Pancake and Waffle Mix, which yields breakfast treats studded with colorful sprinkles. Unfortunately, though, the boxes are pricey and on the small side—plus, they can be hard to track down. 

Flavor: Classic | Package Volume: 10 ounces | Servings Per Container: 7

Best "Just Add Water"

Birch Benders Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix

$12 at Amazon $8 at Walmart $6 at Thrive Market

One of the best things about homemade waffles is just how easy they are to make, and some of the best options—this paleo- and gluten-free option included—don’t require anything more than water. The mix in this box contains a blend of gluten-free flours, leavening, and eggs, so all you need to do is add some water and stir. For best results, you can also add a bit of oil (the brand recommends coconut oil), but it’s truly optional. 

The resulting waffles have a uniquely sweet flavor that comes from monk fruit and because of this, you really don’t need much syrup—perfect to keep breakfast on the healthier side. It is worth noting, though, that monk fruit tends to be polarizing. If you know you don’t like it, you may want to look elsewhere. 

Flavor: Classic | Package Volume: 12 ounces | Servings Per Container: 10

Best Mochi

Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Buttermilk Mochi Pancake & Waffle Mix

$29 at Amazon View on Cravingsbychrissyteigen.com

Lovers of mochi's delicately sweet and chewy texture will no doubt be fans of this buttermilk mochi pancake and waffle mix from Cravings by Chrissy Teigen. Made from a blend of sweet rice flour, sugar, tapioca starch, buttermilk, and leavening, this mix is naturally gluten-free, with no GMOs, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Each 14.2-ounce package makes about 6 to 9 waffles (depending on size), or 18 4-inch pancakes.

The batter comes together easily with the addition of eggs, oil, and milk and cooks up to a golden brown crisp exterior. The inside is as light and fluffy as you would expect from a buttermilk waffle but with the signature bouncy texture of mochi. Aside from the higher cost, compared to other popular mochi mixes such as the ube variation from Trader Joe's (a seasonal product), the downside to this Cravings offering is that it's only sold as a three-pack with a shelf-life of about six months, so it may not be the best option unless you are a big mochi waffle fan.

Flavor: Buttermilk | Package Volume: 14.2 ounces | Servings per Container: 9